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Post by zooyouthben on Oct 19, 2006 16:35:28 GMT 10
Hi,
I need suggestions on what type of soil to get for my new softbill avairy, My whole Yard is concrete so i am putting soil 30cm up being held up by a sleeper and the dado. So 30cm of dirt on concrete, What sort of sail should i get? Should i have sone kind of Drainage system? (there is a little gap in teh concrete, you know what i mean, like on the footpaths, could that be the drainage?).
I have already made up a big bag of leaflitter and mulch so that not problem, I hope there are some gardeners out there who can help me.
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Post by AussieBirds on Oct 19, 2006 19:38:21 GMT 10
I had the same sort of thing in my finch aviary some time ago and to be honest with you it was a pain in the butt, I had it planted put with plants and even had a small water feature set up and it was more trouble than it was worth. It finished up infested with mice burrows and really caused a lot of trouble in the aviary, if you want my opinion leave the base concrete it's much easier to keep clean and the birds won't mind a bit.
If you really must put something on the floor buy a couple of bags of eucalyptus mulch and put that down.
John
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Post by zooyouthben on Oct 19, 2006 20:11:34 GMT 10
yeahthe mice are no problem, it is a replica of Vaughan Wilsons pest free aviary at Adelaide Zoo(south east asian rainforest, not many rodent free walkthru's), Thats why i am doing it that way, unfortunaly concrete is not an option as if all goes well i should be the pround owner of a pair of Black Winged Stilts, and i dont feel like constantly changing waterfowl slippers (two peices of sticky gauze on the top and bottom of the foot)
The mouse problem wont be too bad, i have a great cat. i once had mice and once i got this cat i have not seen a trace of 1 since.
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Post by silvercloud on Oct 20, 2006 11:02:59 GMT 10
Just curious but why do the stilts need waterfowl slippers and why can't they be on concrete?
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Post by Jane on Oct 20, 2006 12:57:50 GMT 10
I think sand would probably provide the best drainage. Do you want to grow anything?
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Post by zooyouthben on Oct 20, 2006 15:58:33 GMT 10
the stilts get bubble foot, and they have very delicate legs so i dont want any falling over and hurting themselves, I would love to have some Grasses Growing in it and Hopefully 1 Shrub (Banksia)
Stilts are very delicate thats why i got an aviary with the dado so they cant get caught in the wire, they will also be pinoined, I cant wait to get them!
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Post by vankarhi on Oct 20, 2006 16:04:16 GMT 10
Ok..........call me stupid or something, but did you say you have a dodo??? I thought they were extinct?  |
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Post by zooyouthben on Oct 20, 2006 16:12:47 GMT 10
No dAdo its a metal gaudr at the bottom of aviary wire about 50cm high
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Post by Jane on Oct 21, 2006 8:51:06 GMT 10
For plants I think you would need a gravel layer for drainage then a good soil mix. Grasses and stuff will be easy I don't know if banksias will grow in 30cm of soil but you can get dwarf varieties that may do well. Maybe use some fine mesh in the drainage channels to keep mice out. Sounds like it will be nice!
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Post by vankarhi on Oct 21, 2006 10:07:15 GMT 10
No dAdo its a metal gaudr at the bottom of aviary wire about 50cm high ;D    ;D Glad you didn't call me stupid. LOL |
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Post by zooyouthben on Oct 21, 2006 19:52:58 GMT 10
I have reconsidered and am going to put pine bark down (the super fine one) and let it rot down a little, and grow plants in pots covered by bark
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Post by AussieBirds on Oct 22, 2006 10:37:34 GMT 10
I would suggest eucalyptus mulch myself. smells terrific and is a natural material.
John
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Post by zooyouthben on Oct 22, 2006 17:06:02 GMT 10
Ohh Ok, thanks all for your help,
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;D